Linear Actuators, Motorized, High Precision

Linear motorized postioning actuators from PI and PI miCos are designed for precision motion control applications from photonics alignment to medical design and semiconductor related test and manufacturing processes.
These actuators provide resolution typically in the sub-micron range and in some cases down to nanometers and below. Several classical motor drive systems (servo, stepper) and piezoelectric motor drives are available.

These low-cost micro- positioning actuators are equipped with high-resolution direct drive and gear-head stepper motors. The stepper mikes can push or pull loads up to
80 N, and provide speeds up to 5mm/second.

The L-220 a high-accurady linear actuator providing linear motion up to 77mm (3 inch) with sub-micron resolution in a compact package. It consists of a precision ballscrew and a closed-loop Servo motor/gearhead combination with motor-shaft-mounted, high-resolution encoder.

These high force, ultra-high-resolution micro- positioning linear actuators provide linear motion of up 20mm and 50mm, resp. with sub-micron resolution. The integrated low-friction ballscrew is driven by a closed-loop servo motor or a stepper motor.

The M-238 is a high-force micropositioning linear actuator. It provides linear motion up to 50mm, a load capacity to 400 N and high velocity to 30mm/second. Its low-friction, ballscrew, is driven by a closed-loop servo motor with integrated power amplifier. For applications with the highest precision requirements, an integrated linear encoder is available.

M-272 ultrasonic-motor driven micro- positioning actuators provide a cost-effective alternative to motor-leadsrew combinations and electromagnetic linear motors when small dimensions and/or high velocity are of the essence. The ceramic motors are self-locking, with no heat generation at rest.

These miniature linear actuators are driven by the PI's patented PiezoWalk® ceramic motor drives and provide positioning ranges from 10mm to 125mm in a very compact package 1x1x0.5". Depending on the sophistication of the driver electronics they provide precision in the sub-micrometer / or sub-nanometer range.

NEXACT® Piezo Stepper Micro-Manipulator / Nano-Manipulator, N-381

Dual-Mode Piezo Stepping Drive designed for Micro- and Nano-Manipulation

30mm Positioning Range, Smooth Motion up to 10mm/second

High Force Generation, Very Fast Acceleration, e.g. for Cell Penetration

20 nm Linear Encoder Option / or Open-Loop Operation

Self Locking at Rest, no Heat, no Jitter

Vacuum & Nonmagnetic Options

These PiezoWalk linear-motor driven actuators have all the ingredients for micro-and nano-manipulation such as required in neuroscience, biotechnology and nanotechnology. Very smooth motion, high-dynamics with rapid acceleration, sub-nanometer resolution and high long-distance velocity of 10mm/second. The dual mode drive provides long travel walking motion and a continuous "analog mode" with piezo-class resolution and response over 7 microns. This mode can be used for rapid acceleration such as required in cell penetration applications, or smooth motion for dynamic laser tuning and also for dynamic damping of oscillations.

Piezo Motor Actuators, Compact

PiezoMike: Piezoelectric Micrometer Drive; P-853

Sub-Nanometer Resolution

Alternative for Standard Micrometers

Manual Positioning Range to 18mm

High-Resolution Piezo Motion to 25 Micron

Dynamic Operation to 10 Hz

P-853/P-854 PiezoMikes feature a flexure guided piezo actuator combined with a manual micrometer. Sensitivity of the micrometer is 1 µm. By controlling the piezo voltage, the micrometer tip is automatically moved in and out (up to 25 µm) relative to the manually set position. Resolution of the piezoelectric motion is in the sub-nanometer range.